Detox Your Bathroom: Hidden Toxins in Personal Care Products & How to Avoid Them (Part 3)

Have you ever stopped to think about how many personal care products you use daily? From shampoo and body wash to deodorant and lotion, the list adds up fast. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the average adult uses about 12 personal care products every day, while teenage girls use around 17. The problem? Many of these products contain harmful chemicals that can build up in our bodies over time. 

How Everyday Products Expose You to Toxins

The more products you use, the more chemicals you’re exposed to. Take fragrance, for example. If you use multiple scented products, such as lotion, shampoo, and deodorant, you could be absorbing hundreds—possibly even thousands—of undisclosed chemicals.

Why? Because the term “fragrance” is legally considered a trade secret. This means companies don’t have to disclose the exact ingredients used in their signature scents. One single "fragrance" listing on a product label could actually contain dozens or even hundreds of chemicals, many of which are linked to hormone disruption, allergies, and other health risks.

Endocrine Disruptors: The Hidden Health Hazard

Many common personal care products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—ingredients that interfere with our body’s natural hormone function. These chemicals can mimic, block, or alter hormone levels, leading to potential health risks such as:

• Reproductive issues (fertility problems, hormone imbalances)

• Increased risk of hormone-related cancers (breast, ovarian, prostate)

• Obesity and metabolic disorders

• Behavioral and attention issues in children

• Early puberty in girls

• Asthma and allergies

• Diabetes and autoimmune diseases

One of the biggest culprits? Phthalates, a common ingredient in synthetic fragrances that helps scents last longer. Research has linked phthalates to reproductive issues, developmental problems in children, and even an increased risk of breast cancer.

Scientific Research on Personal Care Chemicals

Studies continue to highlight the risks of long-term exposure to harmful ingredients. A study by Dairkee et al. found that chemicals commonly used in personal care products—like parabens and phthalates—may trigger changes in healthy breast cells that are linked to cancer development. These chemicals mimic estrogen, potentially disrupting the body’s natural hormonal balance.

Another concerning study found a link between musk ambrette, a synthetic fragrance ingredient, and early puberty in girls. Early puberty has been associated with increased risks of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hormone-related cancers later in life.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Toxins

The good news? You don’t have to expose yourself to these harmful chemicals! Many brands now offer clean, non-toxic alternatives that work just as well—without the risks. When choosing personal care products, look for ones that avoid the following ingredients:

❌ Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben) – linked to hormone disruption
❌ Phthalates – found in fragrance, linked to reproductive issues
❌ BHT & BHA – potential carcinogens
❌ Fragrance (unless naturally derived) – often contains hidden toxic chemicals
❌ EDTA – may cause skin irritation and increase toxin absorption
❌ Talc – sometimes contaminated with asbestos
❌ PEGs (polyethylene glycols) – may contain harmful byproducts                ❌ Phenoxyethanol – can cause skin irritation and nervous system effects   ❌ Polysorbates – may be contaminated with carcinogens                       ❌ Chemical sunscreens (avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene) – linked to hormone disruption and skin irritation.

Rethink Your Skincare: Ditch the Hidden Toxins

Many conventional skincare products are packed with harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances—ingredients that have been linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, and even long-term health concerns. Making the switch to non-toxic skincare is an easy way to protect both your skin and overall well-being.

One of the first swaps I made was non-toxic deodorant, and it made a huge difference! If you're looking for a safe, aluminum-free deodorant, I have recommendations for both adults and younger users, including tweens and teens. But deodorant is just the beginning—your entire routine can be clean and chemical-free!

Consider replacing everyday essentials with non-toxic alternatives, such as:
✅ Body & Face Lotion – Hydrate your skin without synthetic additives.
✅ Sunscreen – Protect your skin with reef-safe, chemical-free sunscreen for both the face and body.
✅ Kid-Friendly Skincare – Gentle, nourishing formulas designed for sensitive young skin.

By choosing clean, plant-based skincare products, you’re not only avoiding harmful toxins but also supporting eco-friendly brands that prioritize safe, sustainable ingredients. Ready to detox your routine?

Humble Deodorant

Humble Deodorant is made with only the cleanest and simplest all natural ingredients so you can feel good about what goes on your body. Absolutely no aluminum, talc, parabens, or anything synthetic.

Ursa Major Going Places Lip Balm

Formulated with a medley of therapeutic, plant-derived ingredients including cupuaçu butter, sunflower, beeswax, jojoba, shea, birch, balsam and black currant for instant hydration and lasting protection against the elements! Comes in eco-friendly, fully compostable paper tubes!

Attitude Body Lotion 

Carefully formulated with your sensitive skin in mind, this buttery natural body cream is enriched with oatmeal to wrap your skin in total comfort with a delicate floral scent. EWG Verified™.

Leaf Shave Eco-Friendly Razor

The Leaf Razor’s flexible and pivoting head is designed to provide an efficient, contour-hugging shave. With its weighted handle, extra pressure is not needed, the handle weight does the work for you. Easy Blade Loading: Confidently replace your razors blades with the Leaf Razor’s Magnetic Load Assist.

Ursa Major Stellar Shave Cream

Ursa Major Stellar Shave Cream is a concentrated, non-lathering shave cream that minimizes nicks, cushions against razor burn and naturally nourishes your skin. The sublime texture, robust natural aroma and extraordinary performance will leave you craving your next shave.

Mad Hippie Jelly Cleanser

Without any harsh surfactants, this luxurious face wash easily melts away impurities, dirt, and makeup while protecting your skin’s natural acid mantle.

Krave Oat So Simple Water Cream

This light-as-water moisturizer feels like a burst of refreshing hydration on the face. Formulated with less than 10 ingredients including soothing oat extract, this no-fuss, just-right moisturizer gives your skin the gentle calming it wants and the essential hydration it needs.

Live Tinted Hueguard Mineral SPF

An innovative daily mineral SPF 30, moisturizer, and primer that protects skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays and blue light. This non-nano zinc, weightless formula blends seamlessly into the skin, giving it a natural glow with no white cast on all skin tones and types.

Badger Mineral Daily Sunscreen SPF30

Badger carries a whole range of sunscreen products, from sticks to tins to sunscreen in tubes. A majority of the ingredients are organics, and most of the products are fragrance free, and those that are use essential oils. All Badger sunscreen provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

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